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JOB DESCRIPTION
Health Care Assistant
Whangarei Hospital Nursing Bureau
Position Title:
Health Care Assistant
Organisation Unit:
Nursing Bureau
Location:
Whangarei Hospital, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to:
Clinical Nurse Manager, Nursing Bureau, Whangarei Hospital,
Northland District Health Board
Primary Functions of
the Position:
1. To provide assistance to patients to meet their activities of
daily living, comfort and safety needs under direction and
supervision of a Registered Nurse / Midwife.
2. To assist registered staff to provide nursing care which is
safe, appropriate and of the highest quality possible.
3. To be an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.
Position Within the
Organisation:
While the Health Care Assistant works under the direction and
supervision of a Registered Nurse / Midwife, the night Health
Care Assistant is accountable to the Duty Manager and for the
purposes of performance management and appraisals they are
accountable to the Clinical Nurse Manager, Whangarei Hospital
Nursing Bureau.
Functional Relationships
The Nursing Bureau Health Care Assistant will develop and maintain excellent relationships
with:
Internal
External
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Clinical Nurse Manager, Nursing Bureau
Nursing Bureau Coordinator
Duty Managers
Clinical Nurse Managers
Associate Clinical Nurse Managers
Director of Nursing and Midwifery
All nursing and medical staff
Support Services
Community Services
Patients and family / whanau
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
Members of the public
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Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes
The position of Nursing Bureau Health Care Assistant encompasses the following major
functions or key result areas:
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To assist and participate in providing a high standard of care, under the direction and
supervision of a registered nurse / midwife.
To provide support to the clinical / administrative team.
Ensure effective communication with patients, their family / whanau, the multi-disciplinary
team, other colleagues and relevant others.
Adhere to Northland District Health Board, Medical / Surgical Service and Unit policies.
Extended duties (refer to attached appendices).
Treaty of Waitangi
Health and Safety
The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:
Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
To assist and
participate in providing
a high standard of care,
under the direction and
supervision of a
registered nurse /
midwife.
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To provide support to
the clinical /
administrative team
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Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
Assist by providing hygiene, toileting, dressing, eating /
drinking and mobilisation and other tasks as identified by the
individual patient care plan
Answering patient call bells
Identifying and reporting any hazards appropriately
Identifying location of emergency equipment and their role in
an emergency
Recognising limitations of scope of position and experience,
seeking assistance when necessary
Implementing universal precautions as per Northland
Health’s infection control policy
Checking, ordering and restocking supplies in ward
Taking accurate messages and reporting these to
appropriate people
Reception / greeting function
Maintenance and cleaning of sluice room and treatment
areas
Assisting with bed making, assembling patient bed spaces
for admission and discharge
Assembling and dismantling procedure trolleys and cleaning
and maintenance of equipment
Assisting with meals and drinks service under the direction
or supervision of a Registered Nurse / Midwife
Assist patients in completing menus
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Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Ensure effective
communication with
patients, their family /
whanau, the multidisciplinary team, other
colleagues and relevant
others
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Adhere to Northland
Health, Medical /
Surgical Service and
Unit policies
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Extended Duties
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Treaty of Waitangi
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Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
Use communication skills to establish and maintain effective
relationships
Assist to create an environment that is therapeutic
Liaise with Registered Nurse / Midwife on a regular basis
throughout the course of a duty
Awareness and utilisation of verbal and non-verbal skills
Implement organisational vision and values
Respect individual patients beliefs / values
Provide care that is sensitive to individuals cultural needs
Actively participate as part of the multi-disciplinary team
Conduct self in responsible and professional manner
Work within Northland District Health Board and Nursing
Council of New Zealand’s code of conduct
Adhere to NDHB policies and procedures
Maintain confidentiality of patients as per NDHB policy
Provide a culturally / ethically acceptable service
Be aware of and committed to ensuring patient rights are
protected
Attend and contribute to team meetings ie clinical, debriefing sessions, inservice education, quality improvement,
occupational heath and safety etc as requested by Clinical
Nurse Manager
Health Care Assistants will undertake other duties as
requested by the Clinical Nurse Manager from time to time,
following negotiation, within the Scope of Practice and in
accordance with policies and procedures of Northland
District Health Board
Health Care Assistants will also be expected to perform
extended duties in Theatre, the Emergency Department and
Ward One as per attached appendices
Cover meal breaks as required for patient specials / watches
Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of
Waitangi and the involvement if Maori within the decision
making process for their health and independence, within
District Health Board management processes and
procedures
Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all
aspects of the role and its outcomes
Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include
appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a
culturally appropriate and safe manner
Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of
Waitangi Training
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Key Responsibility Area
Expected Outcomes
Health & Safety
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Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed
in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural,
ethical and legal safety
Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating
to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and
safety goals and initiatives by:
 Practising and observing safe work methods;
 The use of safety equipment;
 Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
 Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
Attend Good Stuff Day annually
Variation of Duties
Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and
exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the
position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by additional,
deletion or straight amendment by the Clinical Nurse Manager, Nursing Bureau, to meet any
changing conditions.
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
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Literacy skills
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Recognised course in caregiving / Health
Care Assistant
Current First Aid Certificate
Experience
Desirable
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Two years experience in health sector
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential
Desirable
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The Treaty of Waitangi and its application
to the health setting
Privacy Act (1993) and Health
Information Privacy Code (1994)
Health and Safety in Employment Act
(1992)
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Health and Disability Commissioner
(Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
New Zealand Council of Healthcare
Standards
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
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Effective communication skills
Ability to work within a team environment
Observation skills
Effective time management
Ability to prioritise and demonstrate initiative
Ability to work under direction and follow instructions
Personal Attributes
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Non-judgmental, caring positive approach
Cultural awareness
Good listener
Empathetic to others
Professional approach to position
Commitment to customer focused care
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Performance Development Review
An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review
thereafter.
An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is
expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas
will be developed and agreed at this time.
Authorised by:
Clinical Nurse Manager NURSING BUREAU
Signature:
Date:
Acceptance
Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.
Position Title:
Signature of employee:
Date:
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Appendix One
EXTENDED DUTIES for THEATRE
The Health Care Assistant will carry out a variety of duties to assist in the maintenance of a
clean and safe theatre environment for the patients, visitors and staff as well as supporting
nursing staff in the areas of patient welfare, hygiene and transport.
The Health Care Assistant will have direct contact with patients and other members of the
public and is required to maintain confidentiality, empathy and courtesy at all times and
demonstrate effective interpersonal communication.
Patient Transfers / Transport
 Assisting and transporting patients between wards and theatre.
Patient Handling / Positioning
 Lifting, turning and positioning of patients.
- from / onto bed and / or operating trolley
- from / onto trolley and operation table
 Assist nursing staff or other medical staff where necessary with the physical restraint of
patients until additional support is available.
Cleaning / House Keeping
 Discharge beds – stripping, washing and making.
 Cleaning and mopping of theatre floors between cases.
 Change bags between cases.
 Restocking of warming cabinet (needs to be done at least two hourly during the day).
 Removal of used disposal medical equipment eg. oxygen tubing, suction jar liners.
 Replenishing of consumables eg. hand towels, toilet rolls and soap.
 Routine cleaning of all equipment including IV poles, wheelchairs and trolleys.
 Areas designed for the storage of stock are kept clean and tidy.
 Collection of soiled linen bags and take to disposal room, replacing clean linen bags as
required.
 Check and replace disposal sharps containers as required.
 Safe handling and collection of all waste, including general and infectious material.
 Adequate supply of pillows is maintained.
 Weekly cleaning of each theatre including walls, floors and air vents.
 Performing general household duties as directed by nursing staff.
Equipment
 Check oxygen cylinders are in working order, level and replace as necessary.
 Transporting of all ward / unit based equipment including oxygen cylinders / PCA / IV
pumps to and from wards / units as required.
 Setting up of traction trolley of orthopaedic theatre.
 Setting up of orthopaedic bed.
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Tissue / Blood Products
 Transport and collection of all items that are deemed urgent eg. specimens, x-rays,
pharmaceuticals and specimens to mammography.
 Collect blood from blood bank as required. Place in blood fridge in theatre in the
appropriate theatre box. At end of day, check with afternoon nurse in charge which blood
to return to blood bank.
Supplies
 Restocking of areas when imprest / sterile items arrive.
Other Related Duties
 Provide assistance in the event of an emergency as directed by the senior nursing staff or
fire warden.
 Any other duties as requested. Meal breaks will be arranged with the theatre coordinator
/ theatre team to allow for coverage.
 Assisting relatives, showing them where to wait and where to change if entering theatre.
Occupational Health and Safety
 Unsafe or faulty equipment to be reported to the nurse in charge or WIMS completed for
beds.
 Ensure that appropriate control measures for all hazards are routinely followed and that
near misses, accidents or injuries are reported to manager / charge nurse immediately.
 Ensure Manager / Clinical Nurse Manager is informed of any situation where injury or
illness could result or where health and safety improvements could be implemented.
 Where necessary, ensure advice or assistance is sought before commencing any
unfamiliar work.
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Appendix Two
EXTENDED DUTIES for EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
The Emergency Department Health Care Assistant will acquire several skills specific to
working in the area. These skills will be designated and signed off by appropriate Educator,
Emergency Nurse Educator or Nurse Manager.
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Transfer of patients to Wards under the Emergency ward transfer protocol.
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Complete safety training for assisting porters in retrieval of helicopter patients from
helipad.
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Attend calming and restraint course to enable safe restraint of patients in difficult
situations.
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Assist with appropriate patient care ie assist to retrieve supplies while a Doctor is
suturing.
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Regular stocking of all cubicles with linen, equipment and check all monitors are
complete.
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Check and record temperature on vaccine fridge daily – note high / low temperature.
Notify triage nurse if temperature goes above 9 or below 3.
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Make splints as required for use in the Emergency Department.
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Restock dressing trolley / suture trolley in dressing room.
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Regularly clear linen / rubbish bags wand replace full sharps containers in cubicles.
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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Appendix Three
EXTENDED DUTIES for WARD ONE
The Ward One Health Care Assistant will acquire several skills specific to working in this
area. These skills will be designated and signed off by the appropriate Educator, Nurse
Educator or Clinical Nurse Manager.
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Assist with appropriate orthopaedic specific mobilisation program of patients and, under
the supervision of a Registered Nurse, understand and comply with mobilisation
instructions and limitations.
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Ward One resident cares as required
Health Care Assistant
Nursing Bureau
July 2007
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